Punters face some competitive handicaps on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday and it could pay to load up their wallets in the first few races.
Dean Kannemeyer will be hoping that Princess Goldie can do better than stable mate Meritorious, a well beaten odds-on favourite last Wednesday. But Princess Goldie has shown promise in her two starts on the turf but the switch to the poly from a favourable draw can see her home. Head Girl has had plenty of chances but is never too far back and goes well on the poly. Andre Nel’s filly should have her place in the sun one day soon. Yadav Singh saddles Chakpori who has been much improved on the poly, her best run being over course and distance. She can feature in this small field.
In the second, Mike Miller’s filly Grey Fantacy has her third run after a break and showed improved form at her second start. She makes her poly debut but should strip at her peak and can win a good odds. Louis Goosen holds a strong hand with three runners, best of which could be top weight War Empress. She has been contesting higher handicaps on the turf and the switch to poly could be in her favour. Sweet Julia had no luck from a wide draw last start and Alyson Wright’s poly specialist should go close for her second win. Emerald Green is another Goosen runner who goes well on the poly and from a favourable draw should be competitive.
Frank Robinson has two runners in the opening leg of the Pick 6, best of which should be Star Of The Future. He is lightly raced and has his third run after a break. He was a narrowly beaten third when tried over ground for the first time and if he takes to the poly he could be difficult to beat in this line-up. Danger could be Gareth van Zyl’s Gimmethegoodlife who has improved in two starts since coming from the Cape. He was well supported in the market at his last outing over 1200m and the step up in trip could bring out the best. Kom Naidoo had two winners last Wednesday and sends out Lightningfork who made good improvement last run although it was over 2300m. He has only had three runs and the field could all be chasing as Naidoo likes his runners to go forward.
In the fourth, Mr Hotstepper was due to run last Sunday but was withdrawn by assistant John Buckler due to an ‘interrupted work programme’. He shoulders top weight here but the form of his two races have held up well and if racing fit should make a strong claim. King Bavarian s due a change of fortune. His current form is solid and with a handy galloping weight he should feature again while Porfirio goes very well on the poly and stays the trip. The stable appears to have hit some form and at best will make a race of it for Kom Naidoo.
The fifth is a competitive handicap but Summer Song appeared to have been in need of her last run behind Kisshoten and should come on with that run. Andre Nel’s mare is now 3.5kg better off in the handicap taking Rachel Venniker’s allowance into consideration and if fit and well, Summer Song looks the part. Green Valkyrie was in that same race, finishing second to Kisshoten, beaten less than a length. She is now 1kg better off so there should not be much between these two again. Doctor’s Orders is back on her favourite surface and cannot be left out of any calculations.
Knight Warrior could solve the problem in the sixth, another difficult handicap. The eight-year-old’s last win was over course and distance and he ran a smart race behind the rejuvenated Future Flo last time. He has the best of the draw and Dennis Bosch has booked Serino Moodley for the ride which is a big plus as he is riding at the top of his game. Alyson Wright has booked 2.5kg claiming apprentice Nirvan Nastili for Ibutho, one of her three runners in the race and he could prove the pick of the trio given his form in stronger company. Stable companions Voldemort and Winter Waves are both in with chances and there should be very little between them and Kannemeyer’s pair of Savantrix and Bugalugs with all four having met last time out with little more than a length separating them.
Mr Master Starter is due a change of fortune in the seventh after running two smart races in Pinnacle events at his last two outings. He has done well on the poly and with a better draw this time around should be competitive. Tony Rivalland was confident of the chances of Mr Henley if the gelding brought his A-game to the races and he won rather well. Kabelo Matsunyane stays with the ride and a repeat could see the gelding home again. William Rufus was the lessor fancied of the Kannemeyer pairing when last he ran but was touched off by the useful Rivalland-trained Strathclyde. Stable rider Craig Zackey has opted for Mr Master Starter but he was wrong on that occasion too. Connery is unbeaten in two since arriving from the Cape for Glen Kotzen with a four-claiming apprentice up on both occasions. He jumps in class after a seven-point rise in the handicap over a furlong further but still has the benefit of a 2.5kg claimer aboard
Lou Lou is never going to be a legend but MJ Odendaal appears to have picked the right race for Lou Lou The Legend in spite of him having drawn widest of all. The gelding has been costly to follow but comes into the race with bottom weight over his optimum course and distance and can round off the meeting, Stevie Gee has useful form over course and distance and is never far back. With some luck in running he can make it all the way. Veteran galloper Purple Powahouse is one short of his half-century of runs and is way better than his last effort. He has been consistent of late although possibly better over a furlong shorter. Phaka Imali is consistent and Gary Rich does well with these older runners. The gelding has the best of the draw and is not out of it.
